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This listing contains all the analytical materials posted on the Russia Matters website. These include: RM Exclusives, commissioned by Russia Matters exclusively for this website; Recommended Reads, deemed particularly noteworthy by our editorial team; Partner Posts, originally published by our partners elsewhere; and Future Policy Leaders, pieces by promising young scholars and policy thinkers. Content can be filtered by genre and subject-specific criteria and is updated often. Gradually we will be adding older Recommended Reads and Partner Posts dating back as far as 2011.

Competing Views on Russia

George Kennan on Russia: Insights and Recommendations

RM StaffAugust 21, 2019
RM Exclusives

From the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which will see its 80th anniversary this week, to the beginning of the 21st century, Kennan's views on America's Cold War rival went far beyond the "containment" policy for which he is perhaps best known.

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article

Russia-China Bomber Patrol Shows Stronger Alignment Between the Two

Michael KofmanJuly 26, 2019
RM Exclusives

This week’s unprecedented Russian-Chinese patrol, including Russia’s run-in with South Korean jets, signals both growing bilateral military cooperation and Moscow’s willingness to take on geopolitical risks for the sake of its relationship with Beijing.

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article

Landslide Victory for Zelenskiy’s Party in Ukraine: What Next?

Konstantin SkorkinJuly 23, 2019
Recommended Reads

Ukrainian society has presented the new president with two key demands: peace in the Donbass, and purging corrupt figures from the elites.

Rival Parties Battle for Votes in Southeast Ukraine

Konstantin SkorkinJuly 19, 2019
Recommended Reads

The schism in the pro-Russia camp is preventing the return of the political model of two Ukraines, a model that is the perfect breeding ground for politicians who boost their ratings by fanning the flames of the interregional confrontation in the country.

U.S. Defense Secretary nominee Mark Esper often pairs Russia with China in his remarks, classifying both among America’s biggest security challenges. Now updated with statements from Esper's Senate confirmation hearing.

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article

Leveraging Venezuela: How Russia Sees Its Interests in US Backyard

Paul SaundersJune 03, 2019
RM Exclusives

Americans should not overestimate either Russia’s interests in Venezuela or its capabilities there. Some see the country as a new Ukraine or Syria. It isn’t.

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Competing Views on Russia

2020 US Presidential Candidates on Russia: What Have They Said So Far?

Daniel ShapiroMay 23, 2019
RM Exclusives

Most candidates overwhelmingly agree that while Russia is a key adversary of the U.S., the two countries should work to preserve bilateral arms control treaties like New START and the INF Treaty.

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article

Ukraine and NATO: Disconnect Between State Policy and Public Opinion Is Less Dangerous Than Russia

Daniel ShapiroMay 09, 2019
RM Exclusives

Governments in plenty of countries have pushed through major foreign policy initiatives such as NATO entry despite formidable opposition among their citizens. This doesn’t necessarily mean Ukraine should do the same.

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interview

Getting Somewhere With Russia: A Q&A With Angela Stent

RM StaffMay 01, 2019
RM Exclusives

An eminent Russia expert discuses Russia “as is,” competing and cooperating, the end of arms control, sanctions, Ukraine, Venezuela and much more.

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article

Ukraine Election Bodes Ill for Corruption Fight, and for Kiev’s Ties to West

Tony BarberMarch 26, 2019
RM Exclusives

As Ukrainians prepare to vote for a president March 31, none of the top three candidates boasts solid pro-reform credentials. That poses big challenges for the country’s future stability and its pro-Western stance.

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article

5 Years Since Russia’s Intervention in Ukraine: Has Putin’s Gamble Paid Off?

Simon SaradzhyanMarch 14, 2019
RM Exclusives

The author analyzes the costs and benefits for Russia, finding that the intervention advanced one vital national interest and damaged several others. The costs have been manageable so far, but may eventually become prohibitive.